Orlaya (Laceflower) in Zone 5a & 5b
Orlaya grandiflora
Yes, orlaya (laceflower) grows in zones 5a and 5b. Start seeds indoors Apr 5–Apr 12 and plant out May 3–May 10.
When to plant orlaya (laceflower) in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Apr 5–Apr 12 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 3–May 10 |
| Estimated bloom | Aug 1–Aug 8 (~90 days after planting) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-2.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of orlaya (laceflower) in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 17–May 24
- MarigoldMay 17–May 24
- Bells of IrelandMay 3–May 10
- CarnationMay 3–May 10
- Phlox (Annual)May 3–May 10
- RanunculusMay 3–May 10

Orlaya, also called laceflower, looks like a finer, more refined cousin of Queen Anne's lace, its flat, lacy white flower heads a favorite for softening a bouquet without competing with bolder blooms.
How orlaya (laceflower) fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Orlaya (laceflower) needs about 90 days from sowing to first bloom.
Orlaya (Laceflower) planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Apr 15–Apr 22 | May 13–May 20 | Aug 11–Aug 18 |
| 3a & 3b | Apr 25–May 2 | May 23–May 30 | Aug 21–Aug 28 |
| 4a & 4b | Apr 10–Apr 17 | May 8–May 15 | Aug 6–Aug 13 |
| 5a & 5b (your zone) | Apr 5–Apr 12 | May 3–May 10 | Aug 1–Aug 8 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 21–Mar 28 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | Jul 17–Jul 24 |
| 7a & 7b | Mar 6–Mar 13 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | Jul 2–Jul 9 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 18–Feb 25 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | Jun 16–Jun 23 |
| 9a & 9b | Jan 11–Jan 18 | Feb 8–Feb 15 | May 9–May 16 |
| 10a & 10b | Dec 26–Jan 2 | Jan 23–Jan 30 | Apr 23–Apr 30 |
| 11a & 11b | Nov 27–Dec 4 | Dec 25–Jan 1 | Mar 25–Apr 1 |
Bloom dates are about 90 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for orlaya (laceflower).
Where to buy orlaya seeds
High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's orlaya seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing orlaya (laceflower)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 5b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

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Growing Orlaya (Laceflower) in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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